Fast Track

CFB REPORT - Thought, Talk and Speculation

February 14, 2000

Universal Studios Escape's new ride based on the movie Men in Black will be ready to go a little sooner than expected. The ride is about to go through testing and may be up and running by April - just in time for Spring Break crowds. The ride had been slated to open during the summer.

Men in black, continued

When the state Insurance Department shuts down a health plan, it doesn't mess around. Visitors to the Internet site of SunStar Health Plan Inc., seized by the agency Feb. 1 after failing to meet capital-reserve requirements, are now greeted by an announcement that the company is ``in liquidation.'' A second page provides options for SunStar customers - surrounded by a border of Florida state flags. This after a squad of agency investigators and security guards in black suits and sunglasses descended on SunStar's headquarters in Heathrow to shut down the company.

Center of dispute

Not everyone is applauding Lockheed Martin Corp.'s announcement last week that it will open a commercial airline flight-training business near Orlando International Airport. Air Safety International Inc., formerly of Vero Beach, sued Lockheed last year, alleging that the defense giant reneged on an agreement to develop flight-training centers jointly. Saying Lockheed took proprietary information and used it to compete with its would-be partner, Air Safety is seeking $25 million in damages. ``They basically destroyed our company,'' said an official for Air Safety, which is no longer in the flight-training business. Lockheed would not comment on the suit.

Promoting teamwork

After a year of little progress, the leaders of Orange and Osceola county governments are again talking about teaming up on tourism promotion. Orange County Chairman Mel Martinez first took the idea to Osceola County early last year. He complained recently that the two counties' convention and visitors bureaus were dragging their feet. Last week Martinez met with Ken Smith, chairman of the Osceola County Commission, who agreed that the CVBs should explore areas in which they might work together.

Lifting cap on secrets

The venture capital firm Wilshire Partners in Miami has so far kept mum about its deals. That may change. Wilshire is one of three ``capco'' firms that get state tax-credit support for the investing in Florida companies. The state's Division of Securities is to audit the capcos within the next two months; the audit will show where Wilshire is putting its money.